Brazil's Superior Court of Justice Unanimously Voted Thursday to Strip Justice Marco Buzzi of His Post Over Sexual Misconduct

The 28 participating justices all backed the conviction, though four—João Otávio de Noronha, Moura Ribeiro, Regina Helena Costa, and Gurgel de Faria—favored compulsory retirement instead. Buzzi, who denies wrongdoing, was accused by an 18-year-old guest at his beach house and a staffer who alleged harassment in his office. The court's decision makes his provisional suspension, in place since Feb.

10, permanent, with pay proportional to his service. His removal from the payroll requires a separate lawsuit by the Attorney General's Office, a procedure set by the Supreme Court in May. The defense said it respects the ruling but disagrees, citing evidence that the allegations either didn't happen or couldn't have occurred.

Buzzi may appeal to the Supreme Court. Este é um caso sensível, de grande comoção pública e que envolve um problema social de extrema relevância para o país. Foram reunidas inúmeras provas que mostram que os fatos relatados pelas denunciantes ou não aconteceram ou não poderiam ter ocorrido, diante dos elementos objetivos constantes dos autos.